Mallory was the very same CIA agent who had recruited Billy Butcher years ago using surveillance footage of Becca Butcher's mysterious disappearance.
Back then, she had already begun to suspect the dark underbelly hidden beneath Vought's shiny façade—and was determined to investigate the Seven's criminal activities.
But in the process, she became a victim of retaliation. Her own grandson was burned alive by none other than Lamplighter, a former member of the Seven.
Watching this part of the video, Starlight cursed in outrage, "Looking back now, the entire Seven are just a bunch of murderers! And to think they held a grand retirement ceremony for Lamplighter and even launched limited edition merch for him…
Ugh. Makes me sick!"
Hughie offered a bitter chuckle. "Let me guess… you bought some too?"
The two exchanged a glance—and both felt utterly disgusted with themselves.
Stephen turned to Billy Butcher. "So after Mallory retired and the CIA dropped the investigation, you refused to let it go—and put together your own team?"
"Honestly…" Butcher took a deep breath, his expression conflicted. "I just wanted revenge. And to find Becca. I'm not a good man. I never thought of myself as a hero saving the world. I just want those arrogant bastards to pay."
Thor looked at him thoughtfully, thinking to himself,
'This guy… he's got a bit of Gorr the God Butcher in him.'
Back in the future video, Mallory wasn't exactly thrilled to see Butcher again. After suffering such a devastating loss, she had chosen to step away from it all and leave the fight behind.
But Butcher, being Butcher, wouldn't take no for an answer. After a relentless verbal barrage, Mallory finally relented.
She told him that Homelander and Vought's Vice President, Madelyn Stillwell, were very close. If Homelander had any weaknesses, Madelyn was likely the one who knew them.
It was a major lead—Butcher's fighting spirit was reignited. He was ready to turn the game around.
Before they left, though, Mallory pulled Hughie aside and warned him not to let revenge consume him. That path would only leave him broken and unable to return.
Hughie was visibly shaken by her words. He had already begun to change into someone else because of his thirst for vengeance.
After they left, they planned to regroup with Frenchie and M.M.—only to discover that both had been captured.
Relying on his experience, Butcher managed to help Hughie avoid the same trap. But instead of going back to rescue their friends, Butcher was laser-focused on finding Madelyn.
Hughie couldn't accept that. He believed saving their team should take priority—revenge on Homelander could wait. Neither could convince the other.
Hughie began to suspect that Butcher didn't see them as friends or allies—but as pawns for his own revenge.
In the real world, Hughie looked over at Butcher and shrugged. "Future me wasn't wrong. Mallory had a point too. You're completely blinded by revenge. Me, Frenchie, M.M., Starlight… we're just tools for you to use. Right?"
Butcher only gave a cold chuckle. "If we don't stop Homelander, we'll always be fugitives. You can't change my mind, Hughie. Not now, not ever."
Thor, ever the instigator, chimed in, "I suggest you two settle this with a proper fistfight. Winner makes the decisions. Always works."
Deadpool added enthusiastically, "Thor's right! A good ol' punch-up, followed by a bloody hug and a good cry—classic movie moment! Don't give me that look, you know it's true!"
Their antics defused the tension, and Hughie and Butcher dropped the argument for now, shifting their attention back to the glowing screen.
The scene switched to Vought Tower.
As expected, Homelander and Madelyn had a very intimate relationship. It turned out Homelander was the mastermind behind Compound V falling into terrorist hands.
He timed everything perfectly, ensuring the incident happened just as Madelyn was being interrogated by the CIA—clearly to help her out.
In the heat of the moment, he confessed his feelings for her, and the two ended up… well, getting it on.
And just like that—everyone watching saw exactly how fast Homelander was in the bedroom.
"Bwahahaha! Oh my god! Did anyone count how long that was? A minute? Nah, that's being generous. I'm guessing thirty seconds tops!" Deadpool laughed uncontrollably.
Annie looked mortified, staring at the floor. The other men tried to hold back, but most of them were chuckling—or outright howling with laughter like Deadpool.
Thor couldn't resist. "I mean, come on. After seeing this, I'm starting to question that surveillance video of Becca. Homelander and her were together for three hours? What the hell were they even doing?"
Butcher's face darkened immediately. He had been about to laugh too, but that joke hit a sore spot.
Deadpool threw up his hands. "Maybe they watched both Terminator movies back-to-back? That's about the right runtime. Hahaha… honestly, 'Homelander' isn't even the right name. They should call him 'The Flash'!"
If the real Flash heard that, he'd probably lose it.
Hughie gave a weird look. "Honestly, when Homelander's with Madelyn, he acts like a kid craving attention… like a needy little baby. It's disturbing."
"No doubt about it," Stephen said, trying to stay composed. "He's got serious Oedipal issues. Deep-rooted stuff."
Still chuckling, Strange added, "But it's true—Madelyn means a lot to him. If Butcher's smart, he'll use that."
The room outside the video was filled with laughter and banter—Homelander had unknowingly given everyone a hilarious moment.
But back in the future footage, things took a dark and unsettling turn.
Afterward, Homelander lay with his head on Madelyn's lap. They whispered sweet nothings.
Madelyn told him that thanks to his recent 'heroic' performance, she was getting a big promotion and a raise. She was thrilled.
But Homelander looked uneasy.
He asked if she would still manage his day-to-day affairs after the promotion.
Without hesitation, she promised she'd always be there for him. The scene resembled a mother gently reassuring her child.
Then, Homelander suddenly grew serious and asked her to promise—never to lie to him again, never to keep secrets.
Madelyn didn't hesitate. She swore to it.
Homelander smiled, seemingly touched by her words.
But then she offered a soft apology about keeping the truth from him regarding Becca Butcher and her son. She said she didn't want to burden him with more pain.
At that exact moment, the warmth vanished from Homelander's face—replaced by an icy, dangerous glare…
_____
T/N:
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